Countries need to rethink their health systems in a regional context, ESCAP chief says
Countries need to rethink their public health systems in a regional context to be in better positions to deal with common cross-border issues such as the spread of highly infectious diseases and to address the reasons why people become ill in the first place, the top United Nations official in Asia and the Pacific said today. [18 March 2010]

World Water Day Celebrated at the United Nations in Bangkok on 22 March
The United Nations will celebrate World Water Day on 22 March 2010 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, placing special attention on water quality with the theme "Clean Water for a Healthy World". [18 March 2010]

UN to Help Deepen Malaysia's Connectivity with ASEAN and other Asia-Pacific Countries
Malaysia is seeking assistance from the Asia-Pacific regional arm of the United Nations to sharpen the country's technical assistance programme to make it more responsive to 21st century development cooperation needs, beginning with developing countries in Southeast Asia [12 March 2010]

International Women's Day message from top UN official in Asia and the Pacific
The "transformational" leadership of women has made the world a better place, the top United Nations official in the Asia-Pacific region says, urging continued efforts to reach targets for gender equality around the globe. Speaking yesterday in Malaysia at the "Women of Independence Conference", Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, called on women to continue their quest for gender equality by building on past achievements such as the establishment of legal frameworks to protect the rights of women and girls; better access to social and economic opportunities; steps by governments to address violence against women; and the establishment of institutional mechanisms such as Ministries of Women's Affairs. [11 March 2010]

UN Training Programme Helps Cambodia Bridge Digital Divide
The United Nations and Cambodia today launched a training course aimed at boosting the country's ability to use information and communication technology (ICT) for its development programmes. [9 March 2010]